Erratic periods demand doctor visit

DR. PAUL DONOHUE GOOD HEALTH

April 5, 2009|DR. PAUL DONOHUE GOOD HEALTH

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am in my early 20s, and I have never had a regular menstrual cycle since I began menstruating 10 years ago. My periods come five to eight weeks apart, and even six months apart. What could be the cause? I have been trying to get pregnant for almost a year without any success. - M.P.

Dear M.P.: Right from the start, let me tell you that you have to see a gynecologist. Menstruation involves a complicated interplay of many hormones. You need an expert's opinion.

A normal menstrual cycle, from the end of one cycle to the end of the next, varies from 21 to 35 days. Flow lasts two to six days. One to 2 ounces of blood is the amount of blood lost. Infertility is defined as one year of trying without success to conceive. You have two problems, and they are probably related to the same cause.

Too few calories, too much exercise, emotional stress, thyroid gland disturbances, diabetes and an overproduction of male hormones (women do make male hormones, and vice versa) are examples of things that can disturb menstruation and fertility.

One condition that could explain both problems is polycystic ovary syndrome. Doctors once believed that a host of symptoms was necessary to define this syndrome, such as obesity, diminished to absent periods, female facial-hair growth and infertility. Now the keys to make the diagnosis are an overproduction of male hormone and diminished or absent periods.

You should make an appointment with your doctor without wasting any more time. If your female hormone level is low, you could develop osteoporosis at an early age.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am a prisoner and do not have meaningful access to current, reliable information. A recently admitted inmate told me that scientists put human embryos inside the uteri of a cow and pig, both of which carried human babies to term. Is this true? - J.A.

Dear J.A.: I have never heard of such a thing, and I don't believe it.